Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2026–Jan 9th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos, South Columbia, Blue River, Clearwater, Quesnel, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Dogtooth, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold.

A buried layer of surface hoar is in the snowpack and has been producing natural and human triggered avalanches.

Take a conservative approach to your decision making.

Confidence

Moderate

We are confident about the likelihood of avalanche activity, what is less certain are their possible size.

Avalanche Summary

Jan 7

Numerous large (up to size 3.5) natural and rider triggered avalanches continue to be reported in the region, many are failing on the early January surface hoar layer.
One large avalanche (size 3) cornice triggered avalanche failed much deeper on a crust from mid December.

Jan 3 to 6

Numerous natural and rider triggered avalanches were reported in the region up to size 3, at all elevations and on all aspects, though more are being observed on north and east aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 60 to 100 cm of recent snow has fallen in the past 3 days and, in many places is resting on a problematic layer of surface hoar that was buried January 2nd.

The prominent mid-December crust is buried up to 100 to 150cm deep, and is present up to 2300 m. Triggering this layer is considered unlikely, except with large loads or in thin snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 3 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.